Lacing system for footwear, particularly ski-boot fastener



H. MARTlN Jan. 5, 1965 LACING SYSTEM FOR FOOTWEAR, PARTICULARLY SKI-BOOT FASTENER Filed Jan. 12, 1962 INVENTOR. HANS M E: Z1 fClLmw A TT ORNE Y United States Patent O 3,163,990 LACING SYSTEM FOR FOUEWEAR, PARTIQU- LARLY SKl-BUOT FASEENER Hans Martin, Volkmarstrasse 6, Zurich, Switzeriand Filed Ian. 12, 1962, Ser. No. 165,786 Claims priori application Switzerland, Jan. 20, 1961,

5 Claims. (Cl. 24-70) The present invention broadly relates to footwear and, more particularly, to an improved boot lacing system, especially for ski-boots or the like. While for convenience in description the following description shall be primarily directed to a fastener arrangement for ski-boots, it should be understood that the teachings of the invention may be readily employed with other types of footwear, such as logging boots, hildng shoes, ice skates, and other foot apparel which will readily suggest itself to those skilled in the art.

More specifically, the present invention relates to a ski-boot binding of the type wherein the shaft or upper of the boot is provided along the instep with a pair of overlapping closure flaps. On one of the closure flaps there is arranged a plurality of drawing members or lace clamps and on the other of said closure flaps corresponding tensioning levers. Further, each bracket for an associated tensioning lever is provided with a contact plate connected with a closure flap, whose length in the direction of the edge of the closure flap is a multiple of the distance between said closure flap and the pivot axis of said tensioning lever. A ski-boot lacing system of this type is disclosed in my Canadian Patent 557,850, issued May 27, 1958, and the present invention is an improvement thereover.

In accordance with the invention, the bearing bracket for the tensioning lever is arranged together with the contact plate on the closure flap in such a manner that said contact plate, when the boot is drawn tightly into closed condition, is supported against the instep of the foot, which renders possible a very taut binding without the user experiencing pain or discomfort. Since the tensioning lever is provided with serrations or teeth which define a plurality of clasping positions for the traction or drawing member, the applied tension can be selectively adjusted within the limits of the spacing of said clasping positions. Such has the result that the drawing together of the closure flaps always occurs through the spacing of one tooth of the tensioning lever, that is to say, through approximately 6 millimeters for example. However, it has been found that such a spacing between successive teeth is oftentimes too large. Thus, for example, if the three drawing means or lace clamps of a boot are each clasped into a respective rest or holding tooth of the tensioning lever, it is readily possible, that one or two of the same will either draw the boot too tightly together or else will be too loose, and whereby a further adjustment through one tooth will still prove either too great or insufiicient to obtain proper fitting of the boot. Moreover, the foot can become swollen which will not permit displacement of the lacing system through an entire tooth spacing.

Accordingly, it is a prime object of the present inven- 'tion to provide for a boot or shoe lacing system which permits for a greater possibility of adjustment so as to comfortably accommodate the foot of a user.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide means for adjusting a plurality of lacing members or the like of a boot or shoe, with the adjustment for each lacing member being carried out independently of one another, and with a finer adjustment from one locking position to another being possible.

Still another important object of the present invention is to provide improved means permitting for relatively sensitive adjustment of the lacing system of a boot for example, particularly ski-boots, such that the boot can be comfortably accommodated to the foot of a user.

Yet another important object of the present invention is to provide a boot or shoe, particularly ski-boots, with a lacing system including at least one tensioning lever for at least one lace clamp, with said tensioning lever having spaced clamping notches and cooperating with means for allowing said tensioning lever to be suitably shifted such that said clamping notches can be displaced into a holding position which is intermediate the normal spacing of said clamping notches.

Thus, in accordance with the present invention, it is contemplated to provide for a greater accommodation of the shoe or boot on the foot of a user, thereby eliminating the disadvantages presently experienced with known boot constructions. In a preferred manifestation of the invention, each tensioning lever or handle is seated upon an eccentric collar which is rotatably mounted upon a support bolt. Each eccentric collar is provided with a small lever by means of which it can, as required, be selectively rotated at least into two end positions. The eccentricity of the collar member is preferably so dimensioned that the position of the tensioning lever is changeable through approximately one-half the spacing of its teeth. Consequently, it is readily possible to quickly release and again tension all or only an individual tensioning or clamping lever by turning of the eccentric detailed description given hereinafter; it should be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 shows a ski-boot with a lacing system according to the present invention as seen from the front;

FIGURE 2 is a side view illustrating details of a clamping or tensioning lever and bearing bracket of the lacing system;

FIGURE 3 is a top view of the arrangement shown in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken through a ski-boot binding of FIGURE 1 showing the details of a lacing system in closed position; and

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged view illustrating details of the eccentric mounting for a clamping lever.

Referring now to the drawings and, more particularly, to FIGURE 1 thereof, a boot B is shown, as for example, a ski-boot, which includes an upper or top portion U constructed in such a manner as to exhibit the closure flaps or tongues 3, 6 adapted to be brought into overlapping relation in the closing position of the boot B. Secured to one of the closure flaps, such as flap 6, are a plurality of eyelets 1 which support suitable traction or drawing members 2 through which the ski-boot may be laced. By way of example, the traction members 2 may be detachably secured to the eyelets 1 by screw members in or any other appropriate expedient. Moreover, the traction members Z may be in the form of lace loops formed of wire loops, leather loops, or twisted or braided shoe laces for example. The closure flap 3 of the skiboot B is provided with a plurality of holder members or brackets 4, to each of which there is articulated a ten sioning buckle or lever 5 provided with the hook-like the other closure flap 6 so that both of said closure flaps can comfortably slide over one another. The length of the closure plate 4a taken in the direction of the longitudinal edge portion 3a of the closure flap 3 amounts, for example, to two, three or some multiple of the height distance 11 formed between the contact plate 4a and the pivot bolt 5a for the pivotable tensioning lever 5.

As a result of such length of the contact plate 4a, the tilting or bending force produced by the traction means 2 is taken up by a long lever arm and correspondingly reduced. Consequently, the closing pressure is distributed over the entire rigid contact plate 4a and supported on the instep, thereby permitting wearing of the boot B in tightly laced closed condition for longer periods of time'without the user experiencing pain or discomfort. As previously mentioned at the outset, it has been shown that the tension or stress exerted when shifting the trac-.

tion member 2 through a complete hook clamp spacing, that is to say, for approximately 6-7 millimeters for example, is in many instances too large.

Accordingly, the present invention provides for an adjustment or'compensation of such, as will be best understood by reference to FIGURES 2-4 and the enlarged view of FIGURE 5. For this purpose, each tensioning lever 5 is not directly mounted upon its pivot bolt 5a,.

but rather, is seated upon an eccentric sleeve or collar 7 which, in turn, is mounted upon the pivot bolt 5a. The eccentric collar 7 is provided with an operating lever 8 so that the collar member 7 can be rotated through an angle ofat least 190, whereby in both end or terminal positions thereof, theoperating lever 8 abuts against the bracket member '4. The eccentric collar 7 is laterally guided between the end flanges of the bracket 4. Since the collar -7 is eccentrically mounted on the pivot bolt 50, the geometric center of the collar is radially spaced away from the axis of the' pivot bolt by a finite distance, such distance defining the eccentricity of the collar. When the collar'7 is rotated by the operating lever 8, the geo-. metric center is swung from one side of the pivot bolt axis to the other side thereof, and is thus displaced from its initial position by an amount equal to approximately twice the eccentricity. The. rotation of the collar 7 also displaces. the'tensioning lever 5, and it is desired that the amount ofrdisplacement of the lever 5 be approximately one half the spacing between a pair of adjacent hooks Sb on the lever. To accomplish such a displacement, the eccentricity is preferably of a value corresponding approximately to one-quarter of the spac ing between adjacent hooks 511. Thus, when rotation of the collar moves the geometric center for a distance of twice the eccentricity, the lever is displaced for a distance of twice the one-quarter hook spacing or one-half the spacing between adjacent hooks 51).

Further, the eccentric collar 7 and the operating lever 8 are preferably constructed as a unitary or one-piece member and are preferably formed from a synthetic material, such as a plastic, which is difiicult to break. In both end positions, the eccentric portion of the collar 7 is so located that it, taken in the direction of pull as denoted by arrow Z, is turned beyond dead center, and by virtue of the tension exerted at the clasping slots or hooks 5b is forced into an end position. By reversing the movement of the tensioning lever 5, the closing tension can be relaxed and then again be increased. The bracket member 4 may be secured to th lo u e p 3 by su table fastening means, such as by the rivets 4b.

It should thus be apparent that the present invention is readily suitable for carrying out the objects hereto fore mentioned and allows for quick and easy accommodation of the boot to the foot of a user; By virtue of the eccentric means for each tensioning lever the latter may be displaced into a closing position where the clasping hooks thereof are correspondingly displaced a distance intermediate the spacing between a pair of such hooks to permit for a fine adjustment possibility of the boot. As such, it is not necessary to replace the existing tension levers with others having a diflferent clasping hook arrangement and spacing.

Having thus described the present invention what is desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is:

1. In a clamping arrangement for boots, or the like, particular ski-boots of the type having a pair of closure flaps, a plurality of separate traction members attached to one of said closure flaps, a plurality of fastening bracket means attached to the other of said closure flaps and corresponding in number to the number of traction members, each 'said' fastening bracket means comprising a contact plate provided at the region of one end with spaced upright end cflanges, a pivot bolt supported by said end flanges, an eccentric collar rotatably mounted at said pivot bolt and laterally confined between said upright and flanges, a tensioning lever having one end freely rotatably supported by said eccentric collar, each tensioning lever being capable of actuation independent of the other tensioning levers, each tensioning lever being provided with at least one pair of clasping hooks for engaging an associated traction member and holding the latter in a clamping position, an operating lever cooperating with said eccentric collar extending radially therefrom for rotating said eccentric co1lar,'said eccentric collar having a geometric centerspaced radially "away from said pivot bolt by a distance approximately equal to one quarter the spacing between a pair of clasping hooks whereby when said operating lever is actuated, said ec centric collar will rotate to displace said geometric center to the opposite side of said pivot bolt, thus moving said geometric center through substantially two one-quarter spacings and thereby displacing said tensioning lever a distance approximately corresponding to one half the spacing between a pair of clasping hooks and into another clamping position for finer adjustment of said clamping arrangement.

2. In a clamping arrangement for boots, or the like, particularly ski-boots of the type having a pair of closure flaps according to claim 1, wherein said operating lever is capable of rotating said eccentric collar through an angle of at least and less than 360 and into two end positions.

3. Fastening bracket for footwear comprising a contact plate provided at the region of one end with a pair of spaced upright end flanges, a pivot bolt supported by said pair of end flanges, an eccentric collar rotatably mounted at said pivot bolt and laterally guided between said upright end flanges, a tensioning lever having one freely rotatably supported by said eccentric collar, said tensioning lever being provided with spaced projections defining between any two neighboring projections a recess adapted to engage with a traction member, and an operating lever cooperating with said eccentric collar and extending radially therefrom between said pair of spaced end flanges for rotating said eccentric collar to thereby displace said tensioning lever in its lengthwise direction in order to spatially reposition the recesses between each 'two neighboring projections, to provide for a dififerent tensioning effect of said tensioning lever when engaging an associated traction member, said eccentric collar hav- 'inga geometric center spaced radially away from said pivot bolt by a distance approximately equal to one quarter the Width of said recess whereby operation of said operating lever will displace said geometric center to the opposite side of said pivot bolt, thus moving said geometric center through substantially two one-quarter Widths and thereby displacing said tensioning lever a distance approximately corresponding to one half the Width of said recess.

4. Fastening bracket according to claim 3, wherein said operating lever is constructed to rotate said eccentric collar through an angle of at least 190 and less than 360 and into two end positions, with said operating lever when disposed in said respective two end positions being located substantially in diametrically opposed relation to opposite sides of the lengthwise axis of said pivot bolt.

operating lever and eccentric collar are integral with one another.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 360,924 4/87 Solano 28571 398,549 2/89 Smith 292111 1,642,222 9/27 Raw 292'63 2,378,654 6/45 Pekny 292111 2,861,310 11/58 Martin 2469 2,984,176 5/61 Sommer et al 24-263 3,061,347 10/ 62 Schlueter 2921 11 DONLEY I. STOCKING, Primal y Examiner.

5. Fastening bracket according to claim 4, wherein said 15 EDWARD V. BENHAM, Examiner. 

1. IN A CLAMPING ARRANGEMENT FOR BOOTS, OR THE LIKE, PARTICULAR SKI-BOOTS OF THE TYPE HAVING A PAIR OF CLOSURE FLAPS, A PLURALITY OF SEPARATE TRACTION MEMBERS ATTACHED TO ONE OF SAID CLOSURE FLAPS, A PLURALITY OF FASTENING BRACKET MEANS ATTACHED TO THE OTHER OF SAID CLOSURE FLAPS AND CORRESPONDING IN NUMBER TO THE NUMBER OF TRACTION MEMBERS, EACH SAID FASTENING BRACKET MEANS COMPRISING A CONTACT PLATE PROVIDED AT THE REGION OF ONE END WITH SPACED UPRIGHT END FLANGES, A PIVOT BOLT SUPPORTED BY SAID END FLANGES, AN ECCENTRIC COLLAR ROTATABLY MOUNTED AT SAID PIVOT BOLT AND LATERALLY CONFINED BETWEEN SAID UPRIGHT AND FLANGES, A TENSIONING LEVER HAVING ONE END FREELY ROTATABLY SUPPORTED BY SAID ECCENTRIC COLLAR, EACH TENSIONING LEVER BEING CAPABLE OF ACTUATION INDEPENDENT OF THE OTHER TENSIONING LEVERS, EACH TENSIONING LEVER BEING PROVIDED WITH AT LEAST ONE PAIR OF CLASPING HOOKS FOR ENGAGING AN ASSOCIATED TRACTION MEMBER AND HOLDING THE LATTER IN A CLAMPING POSITION, AN OPERTING LEVER COOPERATING WITH SAID ECCENTRIC COLLAR EXTENDING RADIALLY THEREFROM FOR ROTATING SAID ECCENTRIC COLLAR, SAID ECCENTRIC COLLAR HAVING A GEOMETRIC CENTER SPACED RADIALLY AWAY FROM SAID PIVOT BOLT BY A DISTANCE APPROXIMATELY EQUAL TO ONE QUARER THE SPACING BETWEEN A PAIR OF CLASPING HOOKS WHEREBY WHEN SAID OPERATED LEVER IS ACTUATED, SAID ECCENTRIC COLLAR WILL ROTATE TO DISPLACE SAID GEOMETRIC CENTER TO THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF SAID PIVOT BOLT, THUS MOVING SAID GEOMETRIC CENTER THROUGH SUBSTANTIALLY TWO ONE-QUARTER SPACINGS AND THEREBY DISPLACING SAID TENSIONING LEFER A DISTANCE APPROXIMATELY CORRESPONDING TO ONE HALF THE SPACING BETWEEN A PAIR OF CLASPING HOOKS AND INTO ANOTHER CLAMPING POSITION FOR FINER ADJUSTMENT OF SAID CLAMPING ARRANGEMENT. 